Read a Pacific Northwest, liberal perspective on world, national, and local politics. From majestic Redmond, Washington - the Northwest Progressive Institute Official Blog.

Friday, August 31, 2007

Larry Craig is toast, GOP officials say

After having given up his committee assignments, Craig is apparently considering leaving the Senate altogether despite his insistence that he has done no wrong:

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig is considering resigning, possibly as early as this weekend, Republican officials said Friday after days of public and private pressure stemming from his June arrest in an undercover vice operation in an airport men's room.

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter already appears to have settled on a successor - Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, according to several Republicans familiar with internal deliberations. And neither President Bush, the national party nor any of Craig's GOP colleagues has publicly expressed support for the 62-year-old, three-term senator.

McCain, McConnell, and other prominent Republicans have urged Craig to leave, and few in the right wing have expressed support for the troubled senator, who now claims he should not have plead guilty after having been arrested for lewd conduct. The story has been a total sensation in the traditional media.

It's been one GOP scandal after another these last few years - no wonder so many on the right wing seem to be unhappy and bitter lately.

Larry LaRocco, an outstanding Democrat and a leader who has embraced the netroots community, is running for Craig's seat in 2008.

Meanwhile, over in Virginia, Republican Senator John Warner has announced he won't seek reelection next year, giving Democrats another open seat to pursue.